Since you guys helped me pick my first two big/medium bore rifles, I figured I'd let you guys help on a third!

I'm venturing into the world of double rifles on this one. I'd like to make a purchase this month. I've a (roughly) $10,000 budget. I've a few in mind, please comment as you see fit:

MAKE: Here is the first dilemma. I seem to be leaning mostly towards a Merkel, but I can also swing offerings from Krieghoff and Chapuis. I know Searcy's are in this price range, but I can't seem to find any for sale and he cut out the PH line, which I would just purchase brand new if he still offered it!

CALIBER: I would like to have either a .470NE or .500NE, but would be open to a .450NE, also. I do see the merit in a .450-400NE, but those seem to be tough to find on my budget.

I know Cabela's has a number of Merkels and Krieghoffs for sale and I'll be venturing to my local one this week to snoop about. In the meantime, I would appreciate any and all comments from you all as to what my best choice(s) would be.

Look under the english texts, for fine guns. I am really going to buy one of these guns, doubles with side locks or doubles with boxlocks. Both are called Azurs, but the side lock's largest caliber is .375 H&H, the boxlock (Azur Safari Standard and PH) is up to .600NE, take a look. They are very helpful on the phone.
Good luck, Frank from Switzerland.

Hi Brandon
I am shooting a Krieghoff that i had custom build in Germany in 470 NE , i use it only as buckup rifle on big game and what a pleasure to shoot this thing, years ago i did use a 416 Rigby but for the last 10 years i only use the 470. I did not do anything to it, had it build as a working rifle and that was it. Very smooth on the shoulder taking aim at something that want to bite, or push you around, well then you do not think about recoil.

I looked at many different maker of doubles before purchasing my "off the rack" Merkel 140-A in cal 470 NE. This gun is not fancy but solid. She is simple to use, fits me like a glove (I am 5' 9"), is well balanced, ideal for snap shooting, is very accurate, and pleasant to shoot. My gun does not have ejectors which make extra noice and will fail (question only when - Merkel refused to put them on large caliber guns for that reason) and has no recoil pad which lowers the risk of getting the butt stuck while sliding the gun up the shoulder. All things I want in a big bore double when quick shooting might be a life saver when hunting dangerous game in thick bush.

I recommend that you look at as many different doubles as you can. Just pick them up, "throw" them at your shoulder, swing them for a simulated quick shot, and see how each one feels. Then purchase the one you like best.

Just sharing my experience here - i have little with doubles not belonging to me and i own a Krieghoff Classic in .470NE. Cannot think of a better tool to have as a PH. Its custom built for me and the performance over the past ten years has been flawless. As Mike said, what you need in a double, is a gun that fits you. Something that 'feels' natural and falls into place when brought into action. I also agree that .500NE is for when you are dealing exclusively with elephant or charges. In terms of range in dangerous game, you really do not need anything more than a .470 Good luck with your gun hunt and do let us know and see what you eventually acquire. Cheers,

hi! I d suggest if u are keen to procure a good DBBL rifle go in for a .470 NE S/S or a O/U Merkels are technically very fine rifles so r the Krieghoffs. This British catridge deviced by Joseph lang in 1907 based on a rimmed case 3.25 inch in length, this cartridge uses .646" rim diamtre, the Federal and Kynoch are producing .470 loads with a 500 grain SN & FMJ with a ME 5130 ft lbs with a MV of 2150 fps. I own a DBBL .470 NE by John Rigby which has been in the family since 1949 and still has been giving astounding performance.
So go in for this caliber in Doubles, do let me know wht u finally purchase.

My gun does not have ejectors which make extra noice and will fail (question only when - Merkel refused to put them on large caliber guns for that reason) and has no recoil pad which lowers the risk of getting the butt stuck while sliding the gun up the shoulder.

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The reason the Merkel 140 does not have ejectors is to keep the price down. They are reliable. I believe most if not all high end doubles are offered as ejector rifles, as does Merkel on their Model 140AE and 160AE.

This from Merkels website

Merkel Safari rifles have a long and excellent reputation among the big game hunters thanks to absolute reliability and accuracy. In response to requests from many safari and professional hunters these guns are now equipped with strong ejectors.

Ejectors v/s extractors has also been something I've been mulling over during this whole process. I have an SxS shotgun with ejectors and I find it quite nice. Would the general concensus be that the ejectors are necessity in a double rifle for dangerous game?

Well, I opened the doors with Cabela's this morning and practically molested that 375 Merkel they had. I loved the way it felt. So this model is on its way up to East Hartford with my name on it (oh yah, decided ejectors would be nice....):